Latest news with #FedExEasyReturns
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Blue Yonder Expands APAC Footprint, Highlights AI's Role In Tackling Supply Chain Challenges For New Zealand Businesses
Blue Yonder, a global leader in end-to-end digital supply chain transformation, has reported a strong second quarter for 2025, with rapid customer growth, major platform enhancements and fresh insights into how AI is reshaping supply chains in New Zealand and beyond. The update comes as businesses across Aotearoa grapple with persistent inflation, global trade tensions and shifting consumer expectations - conditions that are placing greater pressure on supply chain efficiency, resilience and sustainability. Strong Growth Across APAC Blue Yonder added 31 new customer logos globally in Q2, including several in the APAC/EMEA region - Morrisons, Royal Mail, Sainsbury's and The Shoprite Group - and recorded an average of five customer go-lives per business day during the first half of 2025. For New Zealand business leaders, the company's recently released Global Consumer Sentiment on Grocery Inflation Survey provides a telling snapshot of local sentiment. The survey polled over 6,000 consumers across Australia and New Zealand, alongside global markets, and found that: 85% of ANZ respondents are concerned about the impact of inflation on grocery prices. Almost half (49%) believe newly introduced global tariffs are a leading factor in those price rises. These findings underline the urgency for retailers and suppliers to build agility into their supply chains to respond quickly to both local and global disruptions. AI and Sustainability Front and Centre Two strategic acquisitions in Q2 have bolstered Blue Yonder's capabilities: Inmar Post-Purchase Solutions (IPPS): Enhances post-purchase efficiency via FedEx Easy Returns, offering customers a low-cost, package- and label-free returns process. Pledge Earth Technologies Ltd.: Brings globally accredited COe emissions reporting into Blue Yonder's platform, enabling customers and their partners to track and reduce supply chain emissions—a growing priority for New Zealand exporters facing carbon compliance in overseas markets. The company also rolled out enhancements to its Transportation Management solutions, powered by predictive, generative and agentic AI. These upgrades enable network-enabled data management, real-time emissions tracking, and AI-driven operational insights to help supply chains operate with greater speed and precision. Key Insights for New Zealand Businesses Blue Yonder's Q3 2025 industry outlook identifies four key trends with direct relevance to New Zealand's economy: Retail Inflation Pressures – AI-driven forecasting can cut errors by 20–50% and reduce inventory levels by up to 30%, helping retailers remain competitive while maintaining availability. Grocery & CPG – AI can help retailers and suppliers optimise inventory, reduce waste, and tailor promotions to cost-conscious shoppers. Manufacturing Tariffs – Advanced risk modelling can help exporters and manufacturers mitigate the impact of tariff changes by diversifying supplier bases. Logistics Transformation – Intelligent networks and digitally integrated infrastructure, including bonded warehouses, are enabling faster, more cost-efficient movement of goods—a strategic advantage for NZ exporters. Industry Recognition Blue Yonder's innovation is gaining global attention, with recent wins including the 'AI Visionary' Award in Hakkoda's Data Innovation Awards and '2025 Retail & Consumer Goods Data Cloud Product Partner of the Year' in the Snowflake Partner of the Year Awards. CEO's View 'In today's dynamic economic landscape, businesses are facing unprecedented challenges, from inflationary pressures to global tariffs to geopolitical shifts,' said Duncan Angove, CEO of Blue Yonder. 'We are committed to empowering our customers with AI-driven solutions that deliver machine-speed precision, enabling them to mitigate risks, adapt to market conditions, and seize opportunities for growth.'
Business Wire
18-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Blue Yonder, Through Its Subsidiary Doddle, Acquires 100% Ownership of Inmar Post-Purchase Solutions
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Blue Yonder, the world leader in digital supply chain transformation, announced today that – through its subsidiary Doddle Inc. – it has acquired Inmar Post-Purchase Solutions (IPPS), a joint venture between Doddle, a part of Blue Yonder, and Inmar, Inc. Blue Yonder, through its subsidiary Doddle, has now purchased the remaining 51% of IPPS, adding to the 49% that Doddle previously owned as of March 2022. Renamed Blue Yonder Reverse Retail Operations LLC, the entity will continue to support FedEx Easy Returns, which offers FedEx customers access to a low-cost, package- and label-free returns solution. FedEx Easy Returns is currently available at approximately 3,000 drop-off locations in the trusted returns network of FedEx Office and Kohl's stores across the U.S., with plans for swift growth. The service offered by Blue Yonder Reverse Retail Operations LLC is powered by the Blue Yonder Returns Management solution, which allows consumers to return their items without needing to print labels or have packaging, enhancing the overall convenience of the returns experience. The solution also helps streamline the returns process for retailers. Returns will be routed through a reverse logistics facility for optimal recovery, helping retailers ensure the accuracy and speed of the return, as well as potentially reducing waste. 'According to our Consumer Retail Returns Survey, consumers are more likely to use third-party returns services if they have convenient drop-off locations (60%) and offer faster refund processing (47%), so efficient returns are absolutely critical for improving consumer experiences while optimizing costs for retailers,' said Duncan Angove, CEO, Blue Yonder. 'The volume of consumer returns is growing exponentially, but the disparate elements of the reverse logistics process make it hard to keep up. Through the acquisition, we will continue making returns convenient and hassle-free for retailers and consumers.' The Blue Yonder Returns Management solution provides retailers, consumers and logistics service providers with the following benefits: Superior visibility: Retailers can track their returns across the end-to-end reverse supply chain, enabling them to make smarter inventory decisions. Reduced costs: Rather than shipping individually returned items from each consumer, returns are merged together and returned in bulk, minimizing logistics costs. Improved consumer experience: Thanks to a returns network with thousands of drop-off locations, consumers have more convenience, and with a more connected returns process, they also gain visibility into the return and speed for their refund. Enhanced sustainability: Since returned items are consolidated and shipped together, this minimizes packaging and reduces empty truck miles, helping to improve waste and carbon emissions, respectively. Improved cycle time: By improving the speed at which a return moves from drop-off, through sorting, back to sellable stock, retailers improve item availability and speed up inventory turns. 'The physical movement of returned items is a major supply chain challenge, yet drop-off locations, transport services, downstream processing tasks, and SKU ownership remain siloed,' said Tim Robinson, corporate vice president, Returns, Blue Yonder. 'With Blue Yonder Returns Management, retailers can optimize their returns process, enhancing speed, sustainability and cost effectiveness while simplifying the returns process for consumers.' About Blue Yonder Blue Yonder is the world leader in end-to-end digital supply chain transformation. With a unified, AI-driven platform and multi-tier network, Blue Yonder empowers businesses to operate sustainably, scale profitably, and delight their customers — all at machine speed. A pioneer in applying AI solutions to the most complicated supply chain challenges, Blue Yonder's modern innovations and unmatched industry expertise help more than 3,000 retailers, manufacturers, and logistics service providers confidently navigate supply chain complexity and disruption. 'Blue Yonder' is a trademark or registered trademark of Blue Yonder Group, Inc. Any trade, product or service name referenced in this document using the name 'Blue Yonder' is a trademark and/or property of Blue Yonder Group, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of the companies with which they are associated.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FedEx offers lower cost no-box, no-label returns
(UPDATED 5:10 p.m. ET) Online retailers can make it easier for customers to return unwanted merchandise through a modified program from FedEx that doesn't require a label or box. The service represents the latest response to shoppers' expectations for flexible, convenient returns options as e-commerce continues to grow. UPS introduced a frictionless returns capability a year ago with the acquisition of Happy Returns. The latest survey data shows return policies significantly influence shopping decisions. UPS (NYSE: UPS) and the National Retail Federation in December estimated that the total value of returns in 2024 was $890 billion. Retailers estimated that 16.9% of their annual sales would be returned. FedEx (NYSE: FDX) on Tuesday said FedEx Easy Returns allows e-commerce merchants to offer customers a hassle-free, low-cost returns solution, starting this summer with about 3,000 drop-off locations at FedEx Office and Kohl's stores locations. The service, which is supported by supply chain management software from Blue Yonder, will also help streamline the returns process for merchants. Returns will be routed through a reverse logistics facility for recovery and consolidation, helping merchants ensure the accuracy and speed of the return, saving materials and space. Easy Returns builds on a no-box, no-label consolidated returns service launched more than two years ago. Merchants who use Easy Returns exchange speed for cost because Easy Returns combines customer returns into one shipment. With other FedEx return solutions, each package ships individually. Other differences are the addition of Kohl's stores as drop-off locations, the use of Blue Yonder instead of home-grown technology as the information backbone, and a lower price point, according to a FedEx spokesperson. Consumers will be able to return items weighing less than 10 pounds without needing to print labels or use packaging, according to a company announcement. Instead, they will use a QR code to confirm their order. Plans call for fast expansion nationwide. The integrated logistics and parcel delivery company said the service will be ideal for apparel, accessories and soft goods that fit in a poly bag. Shippers will need a minimum average return volume of about 10 pieces per day to qualify for FedEx Easy Returns. The product is most suitable for merchants with about 3,000 returns per year or higher, the company said. The NRF and UPS report said 76% of consumers consider free returns a key factor in deciding where to shop and 67% said a negative return experience would discourage them from shopping with a retailer again. Eighty-four percent of consumers report being more likely to shop with a retailer that offers no-box/no-label returns and immediate refunds. A January survey by Morning Consult, underwritten by FedEx, showed consumers have diverging preferences for returning online purchases based on income and generation. Two-thirds of higher-income earners and nearly 60% of baby boomers favor returning items in-store, while 20% of Gen Z and millennials opt for home pickup, with 19% of millennials also choosing mailbox drop-offs. 'Consumers are making it clear that flexibility and convenience are essential when it comes to returns,' said Jason Brenner, senior vice president, digital portfolio at FedEx, in a news release about the survey. 'The continued rise in no-label, no-box returns and growing demand for home pickup options reinforce the need for retailers to offer solutions that make returns more seamless for consumers.' Opinions on the current ease of returns are split. While 51% of consumers believe returns have improved, 32% are neutral, and 17% think the process has become more challenging, according to the survey of 2,200 U.S. consumers and 1,000 businesses. Millennials and high-income groups are the most optimistic, while Gen X, Gen Z and lower-income consumers express skepticism. Two-thirds of respondents said they consider return policies before making a purchase. Nearly 30% of respondents said return policies directly impact whether they complete a transaction, emphasizing how transparent and flexible options can build customer loyalty and drive sales. Rival UPS acquired software and reverse logistics firm Happy Returns from PayPal in late 2023. Consumers can drop off returned goods at nearly 8,000 locations, including about 5,200 UPS Store locations. At the time of the deal, more than 800 merchants were Happy Returns clients. UPS says the Happy Returns technology has driven a 50% efficiency increase in item sorting, while the use of warehouse robots has helped decrease by 35% the average time to ship out items to retailers. FedEx has existing reverse logistics capabilities, including transportation, label creation and technology, designed to simplify the returns experience. FedEx Easy Returns and UPS Happy Returns are more environmentally sustainable options for merchants that help reduce the amount of packaging and product waste by using a consolidated returns process. Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch. FedEx orders Boeing 77 and ATR cargo aircraft, delays MD-11 retirements FedEx says economic uncertainty slowing parcel and freight demand FedEx makes big push for third-party air cargo FedEx to close pilot bases in Alaska, California and Germany The post FedEx offers lower cost no-box, no-label returns appeared first on FreightWaves. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FedEx's New Returns Service Feels Like Déjà Vu
FedEx has launched a new returns service, FedEx Easy Returns, in tandem with supply chain management solutions provider Blue Yonder. The solution will allow FedEx customers to return products at approximately 3,000 drop-off locations without needing a box, package or printed label. Across the network, customers can make a return at more than 2,000 FedEx Office locations, alongside roughly 1,100 Kohl's retail stores. More from Sourcing Journal Just One-Fifth of Consumers Believe Brands' Sustainability Claims FedEx Cuts 2025 Guidance Again in Warning Sign for US Economy Kohl's Posts Another Tough Quarter With 6.7% Comp Sales Decline When a customer requests a return online, they will be emailed a QR code. The customer can then bring the product and the QR code to the drop-off location, where an employee will scan it and accept the item. Kohl's involvement is intriguing as it introduced The Return Drop @ Kohl's less than a year ago across its physical footprint, in tandem with returns technology providers Narvar and Inmar Post-Purchase Solutions—which itself was a joint venture between Blue Yonder subsidiary Doddle and Inmar Supply Chain Solutions. It is unclear whether the new FedEx Easy Returns solution is replacing The Return Drop. Sourcing Journal reached out to Kohl's. At the same time the department store is adopting FedEx Easy Returns, it has temporarily stopped accepting Amazon returns at select stores. That program first began as a pilot in 2017, before expanding to all stores in 2019. 'To continue to learn from our customers, we are conducting a test in a handful of our stores where we will be temporarily discontinuing the third-party returns service,' Kohl's said in a statement. 'Kohl's has a test and learn culture that helps us to evolve our store experience and stay informed about customers' expectations and preferences.' While the future of that program is uncertain, more retailers should expect a more streamlined returns experience with the FedEx/Blue Yonder service. Returns will be routed through a reverse logistics facility for optimal recovery, the companies say, in a move designed to help merchants ensure the accuracy and speed of the return, as well as potentially save money by reducing packaging expenses. Waste reduction is another touted benefit of the program. Unpackaged returns will be consolidated into one box for shipping, in effect eliminating the need for extra packaging. 'Returns are a critical part of the customer experience, and present a significant challenge to retailers, which is why we are excited to support FedEx with the new service to make returns more efficient,' said Tim Robinson, vice president of returns at Blue Yonder. 'Blue Yonder's robust technology will be the driving force, allowing FedEx to power more retail counters and return processing centers across the U.S., further enhancing the convenience of the service. As a result, we're able to offer a complete solution that improves returns processing.' If the partnership sounds familiar, it is. Back in 2020, FedEx partnered with Happy Returns to scale that company's 'return bar' network to more than 2,000 FedEx Office locations and more than 300 Walmart stores. At the time, the team-up quadrupled Happy Returns' network, which was embedded in traditional retailers, malls, college bookstores and office buildings. Similarly, the service enabled consumers to return their products without a box or label, and use a QR code to complete the return. But that collaboration ended in late 2023, when chief FedEx rival UPS acquired Happy Returns and effectively whisked its services away. Happy Returns now has more than 8,000 'return bars' in the U.S., including 5,000 UPS Stores. FedEx appeared to replace that program in August 2024 when it teamed with Inmar Post-Purchase Solutions on another label-free, package-free returns offering. A Blue Yonder spokesperson told Sourcing Journal FedEx Easy Returns is 'an extension and enhancement of what was announced last year.' Blue Yonder still maintains the joint venture with Inmar Supply Chain Solutions despite DHL Supply Chain's acquisition of the firm from Inmar Intelligence in January, the rep said. That deal gave DHL's contract logistics arm 14 return centers. The recent merry-go-round of partnerships and acquisitions indicates a desire of logistics giants to seek out a wider reverse logistics ecosystem. However, there are likely other motives at bay. 'FedEx's latest partnership and UPS' acquisition of Happy Returns is more about route optimization and gaining more parcel volumes instead of solving other reverse logistics concerns such as reducing the cost of returns beyond transportation costs,' said Cathy Roberson, a market analyst and founder of Logistics Trends & Insights LLC in a post on LinkedIn. Roberson pointed to FedEx's $1.4 billion acquisition of third-party logistics (3PL) provider Genco a decade ago. While the 3PL processed more than 600 million returns annually ahead of the deal, Roberson noted that it was likely integrated into FedEx Supply Chain and remained there 'with little strategic attention.' 'Reverse logistics tends to be like for many companies—sweep it under the carpet and deal with it when you absolutely have to and regardless of cost,' Roberson said. 'But now retailers, especially, are realizing they need to mitigate rising returns volumes and their costs as part of a larger strategy of managing inventories and overall costs particularly as U.S. retail sales are slipping in the midst of an environment of economic uncertainty.'
